Floors begin to groan and squeak because the subfloor has begun to separate from its supportive floor joists. The sound you are hearing is the nail or screw sliding in and out of the joist when pressure is applied to the area.
To fix the squeaking floor, you must remove the separation which has occurred in some way. Here are your best options.
#1. Add a shim to remove the gap.
If you have access to the subfloor and joist, then add a small wood shim between the two to fill-in the gap that has formed. Don’t force the shim into place, as this will create a wider gap. Use glue to secure the shim between the two components. It is helpful to use a graduated shim for this process as you can stick it in, then break it off once it reaches the correct width.
#2. Fasten the subfloor to the floor.
If your floor has separated from the subfloor, a simple screw may be enough to eliminate the gap which is causing the squeaking sound to occur. Only use short screws for this, as long screws might go through the floor and subfloor. The best option is to hit the separation from the bottom with a screw, but you can some through the top when needed. Nails are not a good option if you’re securing from the bottom.
#3. Go below the surface of the floor.
If you have a hardwood or laminate floor and some squeaking, then using two nails at a 45-degree angle can help to secure the floor and subfloor together. You’ll want to use a nail set to drive your nails below the surface of the floor for a good result. Don’t try to hammer in the nails below the floor surface – this will damage your floor. Then fill the hole you’ve created with a matching wood filler.
#4. Carpeted floors follow the same process.
If your floor is carpeted and you need to access the separation from above, then cut a small hole into the webbing of the carpet above the squeak. A utility knife works best for this process. You’ll need the hole to be large enough for a screw to be placed at the squeak location. Once you have the screw in place and the squeak is eliminated, you can then glue the carpet back into place.
#5. Secure the joist.
If the squeak is being caused by a large gap between the joist and the floor, then you’ll need to give that spot extra support. Over time, you can damage your floor and its supports without fixing this squeak, so don’t put off this chore. Affix a piece of scrap wood against your floor joist so that a snug fit is created against the subfloor. This will prevent the movement that is causing the squeak to happen.
Most squeaks can be fixed with a couple of nails or screws in just a few minutes. Take your time to prevent damage to your carpet, hardwood, or laminate floors as well and you’ll enjoy some peace and quiet once again.